Auditor General exposes gaps in key ministries as Parliament scrutinizes report

Auditor General Edward Akol, who succeeded John Muwanga last year, has presented his first report to Parliament, unveiling glaring inefficiencies across Government Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and Local Governments for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.

The report, handed over to Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, covers audits of 176 MDAs, 64 public corporations, 179 projects, 1,344 local governments, and 743 secondary schools and tertiary institutions. It highlights mismanagement, stalled projects, and unspent funds that have hindered progress in crucial sectors.

Akol emphasized the Auditor General’s commitment to upholding international auditing standards and adding value to society through quality audits. He pledged to strengthen quality control and capacity-building mechanisms to meet stakeholder expectations.

Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health faced a significant shortfall in its UGX 242.543 billion budget, receiving only UGX 216.017 billion. This gap caused delays in staff salaries, medical supplies, and upgrades to 43 health centers. Critical projects, including 12 regional ambulance hubs and hospitals in Rubaga Division and Wakiso District, were abandoned. Uganda’s ambulance shortage remains dire, with only 240 ambulances available, forcing districts to rely on MPs’ vehicles for emergencies.

Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs

With a budget allocation of UGX 4.06 trillion, including UGX 1.99 trillion for classified expenditures, the Ministry faced significant setbacks. The UPDF National Referral Hospital remains incomplete four years past its deadline. Additionally, UGX 29.67 billion in contract variations were made without Solicitor General approval, raising concerns over procurement irregularities.

Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries

Despite the Maputo Declaration’s 10% funding target, agriculture continues to be underfunded. Stalled construction projects, land encroachment, and a diversion of UGX 1.04 billion without approval were flagged. The Ministry also failed to address the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak adequately, leaving UGX 939 million unused and procuring refrigeration equipment improperly.

Office of the Prime Minister (OPM)

Disaster management inefficiencies plagued the OPM, with UGX 9.34 billion for landslide victims left unspent. Victims in the Elgon area were resettled without essential services, and land disputes continue to delay compensation for Apaa Game Reserve and Kasese flood victims.

Kampala Metropolitan Area

Political infighting between Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Minister Hajjat Misa Kabanda has paralyzed governance. Service delivery has suffered, with domestic arrears surging by 192% to UGX 231.71 billion and only 595 km of Kampala’s pothole-ridden roads maintained. Solid waste management remains inadequate, compounded by the Kitezi landfill disaster and lack of equipment.

Ministry of Education and Sports

Centralized construction projects through the UPDF Engineering Brigade caused significant delays. Projects worth UGX 13.098 billion remain unstarted despite advanced funding. Breaches in procurement guidelines were highlighted, with UGX 4.657 billion spent outside government systems. Furthermore, government scholarships went underutilized, with 109 of 139 opportunities unallocated.

Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development

The Ministry’s financial statements revealed UGX 35.75 trillion in historical assets pending validation. Misalignment between work plans and the Parish Development Model hindered progress on the Parish Vulnerability Index. Only 29% of required professionals for the Albertine Basin energy transition are locally trained, and electricity connectivity targets were largely unmet, with just 63,188 connections achieved out of a planned 256,257.

Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development

Financial inclusion programs like the Youth Livelihood Program (YLP), Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Project (UWEP), and Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises Project (GROW) faced delays and poor fund absorption. YLP has UGX 129 billion unremitted, UWEP groups owe UGX 31 billion, and GROW training delays led to underutilization, with only UGX 10.96 billion spent of the UGX 112.57 billion available.

The findings expose widespread inefficiencies, mismanagement, and governance failures, sparking urgent calls for reform. Parliament’s scrutiny of the Auditor General’s report is expected to initiate accountability measures and drive improvements in public service delivery.